Reading to young children and exposing them to literature is a building block to success. We know that when a child is read to their brain surges in activity; therefore vocabulary is increased and new knowledge is absorbed. Reading develops a child’s empathy by allowing them to identify with new emotions and to feel what they feel. Reading is the key to academic success.

There are many wonderful and fabulous books for young children and choosing can be overwhelming.

Below is a list 20 books every child should have (in no particular order):

1. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

2. Winnie-the- Pooh by A. A. Milne

3. Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

4. Green Eggs and Han by Dr. Seuss

5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

6. Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle

7. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

8. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

9. Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

10. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

11. Corduroy by Don Freeman

12. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

13. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

14. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McClosky

15. Arrow to the Sun by Gerald McDermott

16. Fables by Arnold Lobel

17. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst